Thursday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 2/21/2013

The elusive savings from PIP reforms

Key Florida lawmakers are running out of patience with the state’s fraud-plagued no-fault motor vehicle insurance system that has cost policyholders hundred millions of dollars. Senate President Don Gaetz , R-Niceville, told The Associated Press he isn’t persuaded that reforms to the personal injury protection coverage passed last year have yielded lower premiums for ratepayers. The system is known by its acronym PIP. More at the Insurance Journal.

As the Miami Dolphins push Miami-Dade County to raise hotel taxes in pursuit of Super Bowl 50, Broward County’s tourism industry may be fighting for some home-field advantage. Dolphins owner Stephen Ross is pledging to base future championships in Miami-Dade if his proposed financing plan gets approved, and he has come close to apologizing for the central role Broward played as host of the 2010 Super Bowl. More at the Miami Herald.

Tax relocation is a myth

Business Profile

G.M. Hill Engineering

Gina Hill founded G.M. Hill Engineering, a structural engineering firm, in 2004 following a stint at design-build firm Haskell. “I had one employee to start — me,” she says. Right away she landed jobs designing residential homes during the height of the housing boom. But after the real estate bubble burst, her revenue declined 50%. She bounced back by returning to her roots as a designer of commercial and educational buildings. One recent project was the $35-million renovation of Jacksonville’s Lee High School.

It may come as a shock to hardcore anti-tax advocates, but a state's tax rate isn't the biggest mobility motivator. Sure, we'd all like to make and keep more of our money, but people move for lots of nontax reasons. More at FOX Business.

Space Coast needs to 'Keep the pressure on'

The emerging commercial space industry ultimately will create a new wave of wealth in the U.S., and Florida’s Space Coast is well positioned to benefit. But an industry captain told community leaders that they need to continuously push to draw new commercial space business to the historic birthplace of U.S. space exploration. More at Florida Today.

Homeland security chief tours South Florida ports

Officials at South Florida airports and seaports are seeking federal government assistance to ensure pertinent infrastructure is in place to keep growing and serving travelers to the region. On top of the wish list is the need for more U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers to process travelers faster through immigration and customs. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Out of the Box Barbie Dreamhouse coming to Florida

Barbie fans will get to step into a real-life Malibu Mansion starting next month at Sawgrass Mills. The Sunrise mall will be the only place in the United States to feature the first life-sized replica of the Barbie Dreamhouse. Located in the Oasis section at Sawgrass, the Dreamhouse will feature pink elevators, an endless closet, a walk-in “glitterizer” and a dazzling “diamond” ring display.